Killing Cops Won't Fix Police Brutality

Recently, there has been a major with police brutality. Many of innocent lives, mostly black lives, have been cut short because of irresponsibility, poor judgement, and even racism. Many officers in these cases have been found not guilty, and were able to walk free while they have caused grief to many families. Recently, many people have started to retaliate to police brutality by targeting cops. Not the cops responsible for the lives lost, but innocent cops. Cops that have absolutely nothing to do with what people are angry about. 5 Dallas police officers were killed two weeks ago. They were killed as payback to someone else’s irresponsibility. For someone else’s action, 5 people were taken away from their families way too early. A lot of people think that because an innocent life was lost because of police brutality, that an innocent cop’s life should be taken as well. Philando Castile and Alton Sterling are dead. They are gone and it hurts. 5 cops are dead as payback. Was it worth it? 7 people are now gone. 7 sets of families and friends are mourning and grieving. Did losing the 5 cops change the police brutality? Is killing cops truly proactive in order to end police brutality?

So many people are angry with cops. I get it. I’m angry at the cops who pull over family friends simply because they are black. I’m angry at the cops who believe that anyone who looks like my father or my brother is suspicious. Believe me, I’m angry at the cops who believe that killing someone who is trying to get their license out is justifiable. I’m angry at the cop who shot Alton Sterling while he was on the ground unable to move. I’m angry. It is okay to be angry. But violence isn’t the answer.

When people think about racial injustice, people only think about police brutality. That’s half of it. Think about what happened with Freddie Grey, all of his cops were set free. We were angry at the cops. Did we ever stop and think about who was to blame? Sure, it was the cops involved who did the damage, but what about our court system? We have been to busy being mad and angry at those cops who hurt us, that we have rarely questioned our judicial system. When Trayvon Martin’s killer was found innocent, sure we were super angry with Zimmerman, but for some reason I never remember anyone being angry with the jurors or the judicial system. I’m not saying it is a good idea to target all judges or jurors. But the blame can’t be solely put on every single police officer. The people to blame are those involved. Not those who are completely innocent. Those officers who are being innocently killed does not effect the cop who killed Philando. Killing each other will not solve anything. Killing each other will simply increase the problem. Killing each other increases the negativity and hatred in the world. It is so easy to find someone to blame and seek revenge, but does it help?

30 Things I'd Rather Be Than 'Pretty'

Nowadays, we put so much emphasis on our looks. We focus so much on the outside that we forget to really focus on what matters. I was inspired by a list that I found online of "Things I Would Rather Be Called Instead Of Pretty," so I made my own version. Here is a list of things that I would rather be than "pretty."

1. Captivating

I want one glance at me to completely steal your breath away.

2. Magnetic

I want people to feel drawn to me. I want something to be different about me that people recognize at first glance.

3. Raw

I want to be real. Vulnerable. Completely, genuinely myself.

4. Intoxicating

..and I want you addicted.

5. Humble

I want to recognize my abilities, but not be boastful or proud.

6. Exemplary

I want to stand out.

7. Loyal

I want to pride myself on sticking out the storm.

8. Fascinating

I want you to be hanging on every word I say.

9. Empathetic

I want to be able to feel your pain, so that I can help you heal.

10. Vivacious

I want to be the life of the party.

11. Reckless

I want to be crazy. Thrilling. Unpredictable. I want to keep you guessing, keep your heart pounding, and your blood rushing.

12. Philanthropic

I want to give.

13. Philosophical

I want to ask the tough questions that get you thinking about the purpose of our beating hearts.

14. Loving

When my name is spoken, I want my tenderness to come to mind.

15. Quaintrelle

I want my passion to ooze out of me.

16. Belesprit

I want to be quick. Witty. Always on my toes.

17. Conscientious

I want to always be thinking of others.

18. Passionate

...and I want people to know what my passions are.

19. Alluring

I want to be a woman who draws people in.

20. Kind

Simply put, I want to be pleasant and kind.

21. Selcouth

Even if you've known me your whole life, I want strange, yet marvelous. Rare and wondrous.

22. Pierian

From the way I move to the way I speak, I want to be poetic.

23. Esoteric

Do not mistake this. I do not want to be misunderstood. But rather I'd like to keep my circle small and close. I don't want to be an average, everyday person.

24. Authentic

I don't want anyone to ever question whether I am being genuine or telling the truth.

25. Novaturient

..about my own life. I never want to settle for good enough. Instead I always want to seek to make a positive change.

The 2020 Race Is Feeling The Bern

This morning, February 19, 2019, Brooklyn-born Bernie Sanders announced he is running for president once again.

Unlike his run in 2016, though, Sanders now joins a crowded field of progressive candidates, one of which is Senator Elizabeth Warren of Massachusetts.

In Sanders's own words, this campaign is "about taking on the powerful special interests that dominate our economic and political life". Sanders went on to say that this is a "pivotal and dangerous moment in American history," and "We are running against a President who is a pathological liar, a fraud, a racist, a sexist, a xenophobe and someone who is undermining American democracy as he leads us in an authoritarian direction".

In his interview with CBS, Sanders explained that it is "absolutely imperative that Donald Trump be defeated", and described candidates whom he is running alongside as his "friends".

Regarding policy issues, his focus remains the same as in previous years, planning to focus largely on women's reproductive rights, lower prices for prescription drugs, and criminal justice reform.

Sanders is also widely recognized because of his goal of universal healthcare. His Medicare-for-all bill that was drafted in 2017 outlines the establishment of a "national health insurance program to provide comprehensive protection against the costs of health-care and health-related services". According to estimates, however, such a plan would increase federal spending by $2.5 trillion a year.

When it comes to education, Sanders plans to make preschool for all 4-year-olds free, aiming to fund this plan through tax increases on the wealthy as well as Wall Street transactions.

More widely acknowledged is his "College For All Act", which would provide $47 billion a year to states in order to eliminate undergraduate tuition and fees at public colleges and universities. Additionally, the act would cut student loan interest rates nearly in half for undergrads.

In terms of social issues, Sanders is pro-choice when it comes to abortion rights and opposes policies which discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation and gender identity, such as Trump's push to ban transgender people from the military.

The New York Times discusses the idea that the political field of the 2020 run might leave Sanders a "victim of his own success", in that the multitude of Democratic candidates are embracing policies which Sanders championed in the last race.

"Ironically, Bernie's agenda for working families will be the Democratic Party's message in 2020, but he may not be the one leading the parade," said talk show host Bill Press.

Moreover, victories by women, minorities, and first-time candidates in the 2018 midterm elections suggest that "fresh energy" is preferred by Democrats, which potentially poses a challenge for Sanders.

Conversely, though, Sanders is also starting off with certain advantages, such as a "massive lead among low-dollar donors that is roughly equivalent to the donor base of all the other Democratic hopefuls combined".

Donald Trump responded to Sanders's announcement by saying, "First of all I think he missed his time, but... I like Bernie. He sort of would agree on trade... the problem is he doesn't know what to do about it. But I wish Bernie well."

By and large, Sanders is another strong candidate, and it will be interesting to see if he can generate the same energy and support now that he did in 2016.